Doha, 04 Dec. 2023 (Anadolu News/QNA)

Türkiye and Qatar on Monday signed 12 cooperation agreements in various fields and the joint declaration of the 9th meeting of the Türkiye-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee.

Official News Agency of State of Qatar QNA reported that The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani affirmed that the meeting of the 9th session of the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee was an opportunity to evaluate strategic relations between the two countries and strengthen them with more qualitative bilateral partnerships.

In a post on X, Amir of Qatar stated that’ together with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he co-chaired the meeting of the 9th session of the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee, considering it an opportunity to evaluate the level of bilateral strategic relations and enhance them with more qualitative bilateral partnerships that would increase trade and economic integration between both countries and achieving their mutual interests’.

Following the Strategic meeting, the signing ceremony of the agreements between the two countries took place in the presence of President Erdogan and Amir of State of Qatara Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The joint declaration on the committee meeting was signed by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatar Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdurrahman Al Thani.

A memorandum of understanding on political consultations on issues of mutual interest between the two countries’ foreign ministries was also signed by the two foreign affairs chiefs.

They also signed a pact on implementation of a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation between the two countries’ culture ministries.

A pact on bilateral labor cooperation was signed by Fidan and Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, Qatar’s labor minister.

A pact on bilateral cooperation on humanitarian aid and charitable work was signed by Fidan and Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Qatar’s minister of social development and family.

Fidan and Ali Bin Fetais Al Mari, the rector of Lusail University, signed a cooperation protocol between the University and Türkiye’s National Education Ministry on setting up centers to teach Turkish.

A bilateral military framework agreement was signed by Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler and Khalid bin Mohammad Al Atiyyah, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister.

Pacts for cooperation on science, industry, and technology were signed by Turkish Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir and Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Qatar Foundation Hamad bin Khalifa University.

A pact on bilateral cooperation on information and communication technology was signed by Turkish Industry and Technology Minister Kacir and Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Qatar’s Communications and information Technologies Minister .

A pact on cooperation between the countries’ Treasury and Finance ministries was signed by Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek and Qatari Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmad Al Kuwari.

A pact on cooperation in investment promotion was signed by Turkish Presidential Investment Office Head Burak Daglioglu and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Head Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani.

Finally, Turkish Exporters’ Assembly head Mustafa Gultepe and Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani also signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on exports.

Earlier around Maghreb time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday was received on arrival by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Qatar Khaled Alattiya. Upon arrival at Lusail Palace in Doha, President Erdogan was received by Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani and was given guard of honour. Turkish President Erdogan, on a two-day official visit to the Gulf state, inspected the ceremonial guard and saluted the soldiers.

Following the introduction of the delegations from both countries, both the leaders led their delegations took part in the 9th Meeting of the Türkiye-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee.

President Erdogan on Tuesday will be attending the 44th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.

Trade volume between the two countries increased by 17% in 2022 to a value of $2.2 billion in comparison to $1.8 billion in 2021. There are several Qatari companies active in Türkiye with their capital totaling $33.2 billion.

The Qatar-Türkiye High Strategic Committee was established in 2014 as a culmination to their advanced ties and partnerships in various vital fields of cooperation. Since then both sides have signed around 100 MoUs and agreements in various sectors and witness the bilateral strategic relations between both the brotherly countries.

Anadolu News Agency reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday discussed the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza.

“During the meeting, the latest developments in Israel’s Gaza massacre, efforts for a cease-fire and permanent peace, and steps taken and to be taken to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza were discussed,” said a statement from Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

According to the statement, Erdogan emphasized that “Israel must be held accountable for the war crimes it has committed,” and underlined the importance of international support as well as legal efforts to call Israel to account.

Erdogan also pledged that Türkiye’s efforts will continue to increase to ensure adequate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. “During the meeting, Türkiye-Qatar relations, regional and global issues were also evaluated,” the statement concluded.